Strabenevento
The May 1st race in the heart of Sannio
About Strabenevento
A running tradition spanning over thirty years
Strabenevento was born on May 1st, 1991, when the A.S.D. Amatori Podismo Benevento brought a few dozen athletes onto the streets for a race included in the Italian Athletics Federation calendar. Since that first appointment, the event has never abandoned the symbolic date of Labor Day and has become the most recognizable mass sports event in the Municipality of Benevento, a classic in the Campania running calendar. In 2026, the thirty-third edition took place, with 1,116 registered participants and 971 athletes crossing the finish line: numbers that show how much the race has grown since its inception.
Ten kilometers in the heart of the city
The track is a 5-kilometer urban circuit to be covered twice, with the start and finish in Piazza IV Novembre. The route, certified and entirely closed to traffic, crosses Viale degli Atlantici, Via Meomartini, Viale Mellusi, Piazza Risorgimento, and Viale dei Rettori, before returning along Corso Garibaldi, the main axis of the historic center. It is not a flat loop: it alternates fast stretches with much more challenging passages, and this toughness has become part of the race's identity, so much so that the winners' times vary significantly from one edition to the next.
National race and events open to all
The format offers several options on the same morning, so that alongside the specialists, casual walkers can also find their place:
- 10 km competitive race, a national-level event with individual male and female rankings and a club ranking;
- 3 km non-competitive run, open to anyone who wants to participate without a competitive race bib;
- 1 km run dedicated to families and children;
- Passeggiata Rosa, a walk to raise awareness about women's cancer prevention, promoted alongside the race.
It is this combination that explains why Strabenevento manages to fill the streets: the fast race acts as a draw, while the open events turn the morning into a city-wide gathering for all ages.
The setting: Benevento and Sannio
As the capital of its province, Benevento preserves a historical stratification that is rare in Campania: the Arch of Trajan, the Roman theater, and the Lombard complex of Santa Sofia, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. This is not a marginal detail for the race, because every year the medal given to participants is dedicated to a city monument, and Santa Sofia itself has been one of the protagonists. Running or walking the Strabenevento therefore means crossing an urban center on foot, without cars or traffic lights, which is in itself a cultural itinerary.
Organization and local support
The organization is managed by the A.S.D. Amatori Podismo Benevento, chaired by Raffaele Zollo, with the collaboration of the Municipality of Benevento, the Province of Benevento, and the Campania Region. Over the years, collaborations regarding inclusion have also grown, such as the one with the Sogno Attivo association for adaptive athletics, while the involvement of local businesses ensures cost coverage and prize money. The 2026 edition was followed live on television by TV7, a sign of media roots that go beyond the running community.
Tips for participants
Those arriving from outside the city should keep in mind that on May 1st, the streets of the route remain closed for several hours: it is best to reach the center on foot from the station or park outside the circuit. Registration for the competitive event closes a few days before and is handled through the specialized portal indicated by the organizers, while for non-competitive events, you can show up on the morning of the race. For those not competing, the advice is to stay in the center after the awards ceremony: the festive atmosphere and the cafes along the main street complete the experience.
Strabenevento — edition 2026
Strabenevento 2026: the 33rd edition
Presented in mid-April at the Sara dealership in the Pezzapiana industrial area, the 2026 edition of Strabenevento took place as tradition dictates on May 1st, which fell on a Friday this year. The 10 km national competitive race started at 9:15 AM from Piazza IV Novembre, after the 7:30 AM meeting time, while the 3 km and 1 km non-competitive events kicked off at 11:00 AM from the same point, with the awards ceremony on stage at 11:30 AM.
The route, certified and closed to traffic, featured two 5-kilometer laps along Viale degli Atlantici, Via Meomartini, Viale Mellusi, Piazza Risorgimento, and Viale dei Rettori, returning via Corso Garibaldi. A track that alternates fast stretches with challenging passages, which impacted the final times.
Among the men, Yahya Kadiri (Carmax Camaldolese) won in 30'53", ahead of teammate Ali Akinou (31'16") and Valerio Santoro of Polisportiva Eppe Merla (31'20"). In the women's field, Francesca Palomba (Caivano Runners) succeeded in 37'10", followed by Grazia Razzano (38'38") and Raffaella Filannino of Daunia Running (40'01"). In the club rankings, Carmax Camaldolese dominated with 29,041 points, ahead of the organizers of Amatori Podismo Benevento and Road Runners Maddaloni.
The event was organized by A.S.D. Amatori Podismo Benevento with the support of the Municipality of Benevento, the Province, and the Campania Region, and broadcast live on TV7.
Programme Strabenevento 2026
Program for Friday, May 1st, 2026
- 7:00 AM — Parking bans with towing in effect on the route streets;
- 7:30 AM — Competitors' meeting at Piazza IV Novembre and traffic closure of the race circuit;
- 9:15 AM — Start of the 10 km national competitive race from Piazza IV Novembre (two 5 km laps);
- 11:00 AM — Start of the 3 km and 1 km non-competitive events, open to everyone, including families and children, from Piazza IV Novembre;
- 11:30 AM — Awards ceremony on stage.
The route
5-kilometer urban circuit to be repeated twice: start from Piazza IV Novembre, Viale degli Atlantici, Via Meomartini, Viale Mellusi, Piazza Risorgimento, Viale dei Rettori, and return along Corso Garibaldi. Via Annunziata, Via del Sole, Via XXIV Maggio, and Via Nicola Sala are also affected by the closures.
Related initiatives
Passeggiata Rosa dedicated to women's cancer prevention and collaboration with the Sogno Attivo association for adaptive athletics. Live television broadcast on TV7.
Highlights Strabenevento 2026
- 1,116 registered and 971 finishers: record numbers for the Benevento event.
- Victories by Yahya Kadiri (30'53") and Francesca Palomba (37'10").
- Carmax Camaldolese double on the men's podium and first place in the club ranking.
- Medal dedicated each year to a Benevento monument, including the Lombard church of Santa Sofia, a UNESCO site.
- Passeggiata Rosa for women's cancer prevention and inclusive athletics project with Sogno Attivo.
- Live TV coverage on TV7 and city center closed to traffic for the entire morning.
Prices Strabenevento 2026
Practical information — Strabenevento
How to get there
By train: Benevento Centrale station is served by the Naples-Foggia line and is a short walk from the center; this is the most convenient solution because the race circuit is closed to traffic on May 1st. By car: Benevento is connected by a highway junction to the A16 Naples-Canosa and by the SS7 Appia road arriving from Naples and Caserta. By plane: the nearest airport is Naples-Capodichino, from which you can continue by car or bus.
Start and traffic restrictions
Meeting point and start in Piazza IV Novembre. On the streets of the route, parking bans with towing will be in effect from 7:00 AM, and traffic closures from 7:30 AM, valid even for residents with the exception of emergency vehicles. It is best not to leave your car along Viale degli Atlantici, Viale Mellusi, Viale dei Rettori, and Corso Garibaldi the night before.
Registration and information
The 10 km competitive race requires registration and payment, which can be done via the garepodistiche.it portal or by writing to [email protected]; payment can be made in cash upon picking up the bib or via bank transfer. The 3 km and 1 km non-competitive events are open to everyone. Information: A.S.D. Amatori Podismo Benevento, Via Croce Rossa 45, Benevento — [email protected], tel. +39 329 0042801.
Where to stay
Benevento offers hotels and bed and breakfasts in the historic center and near the station; those who want to combine the race with a weekend in Sannio can also stay in the agritourisms of the wine-growing hills around the city, land of Aglianico and Falanghina wines.
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Where does it take place — Strabenevento
Piazza IV Novembre
Piazza IV Novembre, 82100 Benevento